Ethiopia Flag

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Our digitally printed Ethiopia flags are made to a high quality, durable knitted polyester. Created to the Flag Institute approved design, by us here in the UK. Each flag is hand finished with a double sewn hem for durability, and a headband, rope and toggle suitable for attachment to any standard flagpole.

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History of the Ethiopia Flag

Where in the world?

Trivia

Technical Specifications

Adopted

31st October 1996

Proportion

1:2

Design

A green-yellow-red horizontal tricolour with the Emblem of Ethiopia in the centre.

Colours

PMS

Green:

347

Yellow:

Process

Red:

032

Blue:

638

Brief History

The first flag flown in Ethiopia was that of the Aussa Sultanate, the rulers of the area towards the end of the 16th Century. From the 17th Century red, yellow and green pennants were flown in the area.

The Flag of the Aussa Sultanate

The Ethiopian Pennants

The First official flag of Ethiopia was adopted in 1897; it features the green-yellow-red horizontal tricolour with the crowned Lion of Judah at the centre.

When Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I was overthrown in 1974, the tricolour flag was altered slightly. The crown was removed and Staff was replaced with a spear.

The Flag of Ethiopia (1897 – 1974)

The Flag of Ethiopia (1974 -1975)

The lion was removed from the flag when The Coordinating Committee of the Armed Forces, Police and Territorial Army (Derg) ruled Ethiopia between 1974 and 1987.

When the Derg was broken up in 1987, Mengiistu Haile Mariam’s socialist People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was formed. The tricolour’s proportions were elongated and a socialist emblem featured in the centre.

The Flag of Ethiopia (1975 – 1987)

The Flag of the People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (1987 – 1991)

In 1991 the People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front defeated Mengiistu and the socialist emblem was removed.

The emblem of Ethiopia was added to the centre of the flag in 1996, originally a light blue field it was changed after eight months to dark blue.

Each colour on the flag has a specific meaning; the green is for land, yellow for peace, red for strength and the blue is for unity.

The Flag of the Transitional Government of Ethiopia (1991 – 1996)

The Flag of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia (6th February – 31st October 1996)

The Flag of Ethiopia (1996 to Present Day)

The Emblem of Ethiopia

The current Emblem of Ethiopia was adopted in 1996 and features a blue circle with a gold pentagram and five rays golden light.

The Historical Emblems of Ethiopia

Here are examples of the historical emblems of Ethiopia.

The Lion of Judah

Coat of Arms of the Ethiopian Empire

The Emblem of Derg

The Emblem of the people’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

The Emblem of the Transitional Government of Ethiopia

The Flags of the Regions of Ethiopia

Here are examples of the flags of the Regions of Ethiopia.

The Flag of the Afar Region

The Flag of the Amhara Region

The Flag of the Benishangul-Gumuz Region

The Flag of the Gambela Region

The Flag of the Harari Region

The Flag of the Oromia Region

The Flag of the Somali Region

The Flag of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region

The Flag of the Tigray Region

The Roundel of the Ethiopian Air Force

The rounded of the Ethiopian Air Force features the green-yellow-red colours of the national flag with a gold five-pointed star at the centre.

More Information

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